Combine Insider: Jaguars could face decision if Laremy Tunsil is available at No. 5

INDIANAPOLIS | Credit Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil for not dodging two big questions Wednesday afternoon at the NFL Scouting Combine: How important it is to be drafted first overall and what his goal for the 40 time is this week.

Going first overall to Tennessee?

“It’s been my goal since I was a kid,” Tunsil said.

Running the fastest 40-yard dash among the offensive linemen?

“Sub 5.0 [seconds] — somewhere in the 4.8 range,” Tunsil said.

Only one of 40 offensive linemen last year ran below five seconds — Ali Marpet (4.98).

Tunsil, who attended Columbia High in Lake City before playing three years for Ole Miss, checked in at 6-foot-5 and 313 pounds. He started 26 of 29 games for the Rebels.

“He’s very talented; extremely talented,” Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said. “Very athletic. He’ll be able to play left tackle in this league for a long period of time. I can’t predict what those other teams will do, but he has the talent to go in the top five.”

The Jaguars draft fifth and if Tunsil is on the board, Caldwell and Co. would face a supreme dilemma: Draft defense or add Tunsil, who they probably didn’t think would be available?

Chances are, Tunsil will go first to Tennessee, and the Titans would move Taylor Lewan to right tackle or third to San Diego, which needs to fortify its offensive line to protect Philip Rivers.

“He’s viable as a No. 1 player on a board,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper said. “In terms of need [at No. 1], it’s a definite need because you have to protect Marcus Mariota. You bring in Tunsil and now you have tremendous young bookends.”

WAITING ON MANNING

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning is scheduled to be in Jacksonville next week for a speaking engagement. He’s also expected to meet with Broncos general manager John Elway and coach Gary Kubiak next week.

Manning has a team-high cap number of $21.5 million in 2016, and if he retires or is released, the Broncos would save $19 million, which they could earmark for Von Miller, Malik Jackson and Brock Osweiler.

“Once again, it’s about Peyton taking his time to work through things and think through things,” Kubiak said. “There is no hurry here.”

Yes and no. Right now, there isn’t much hurry. By the end of next week, there will be.

KAP STAYING PUT?

San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said quarterback Colin Kaepernick will “absolutely” remain with the team.

Kaepernick’s $11.9 million salary for 2016 becomes guaranteed April 1. Baalke could be saying this to give him more time to shop Kaepernick. But it’s tough to find a reason why there would be a legitimate market. Kaepernick struggled the last two years and is coming off shoulder surgery.

“The No. 1 focus is getting him healthy,” Baalke said. “[New coach] Chip [Kelly] is excited to work with him, just as he’s excited to work with all of the guys.”

Former Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert is under contract with the 49ers for $2 million this year.

AROUND THE COMBINE

1. Before Cleveland cleaned out its regime, the Browns re-signed tight end Gary Barnidge to a three-year, $12 million contract. Barnidge, who played at Middleburg, led the Browns with 79 catches for 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns. “He’s a tremendous football player,” said coach Hue Jackson, who will call the Browns’ plays. “I’m looking forward to working with him. He had a sensational season, and I don’t see him going backward at all. I see him getting better and playing really well.”

2. It was always a long-shot for the Jaguars to even get the chance to talk to Carolina cornerback Josh Norman. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman hopes to reach a long-term agreement and if that doesn’t happen, Norman will probably be placed under the franchise tag.

3. Thinking out loud: Could the Jaguars gain a draft pick by trading left guard Zane Beadles to Denver? The Broncos’ two 2015 guards were Evan Mathis (who is a free agent and hasn’t decided if he’ll continue playing) and Louis Vasquez (has a $6.75 million cap hit). Beadles has a $5.5 million cap hit with the Jaguars next year, but reworking his deal would be easy. Fans may scoff at the suggestion Beadles as any value, but remember, Gabbert fetched a draft pick two years ago.

4. Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher announced he is taking a “leave of absence,” from the NFL’s powerful Competition Committee. Fisher cited the time requirements of transitioning the Rams to Southern California as the reason. Fisher’s departure leaves Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin and Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis as the lone coaches currently on the eight-man committee, which makes recommendations to the owners on rules changes.

5. Former Jaguars/Giants coach and part-time Jacksonville area resident Tom Coughlin is here at the Combine for a few days. He has a standing offer to stay with the Giants as a consultant, but his business this week is related to the Madden Committee, which consists of current/former coaches who meet at the Combine.

6. The Jaguars are monitoring players who are getting cut, which makes them eligible to be signed before free agency. One such player is Buffalo’s Mario Williams, who remains under contract but isn’t an ideal fit for the Bills. Williams would count $19.9 million against the cap this year.